Masked Chafer

Description:

This beetle was about three eights of an inch long. It had a black head, 2 antennae, 2 compound eyes, and six legs. The thorax and the fore-wings, were a reddish brown color. It also had vertical lines, running down the length of the fore-wings. Beetles, are a group of insects, which are classified in the order Coleoptera. Beetles, are the largest group of insects. Beetles are generally characterized by a particularly hard exoskeleton, and hard fore-wings ( elytra ). Like all insects, beetles bodies are divided into 3 parts. Head, thorax, and abdomen. On the head, are 2 antennae, 2 compound eyes, and the mouthparts. The beetles antennae, are primarily organs of smell. Antennae, vary greatly in form. Beetles' have mouthparts similar to grasshoppers. Two pair of finger-like appendages, the maxillary and labial palpi, are found around the mouth in most beetles, to move food into the mouth. When viewed from below, the thorax is that part, which all three pairs of legs and both pairs of wings arise. The abdomen, is everything posterior to the thorax. Beetle larvae, can be differentiated from other insect larvae, by there hardened, often darkened heads, the presence of chewing mouthparts, and spiracles along the sides of there bodies......Abdomen - this is the segmented tail end of a beetle, that contains vital organs, such as the heart, reproductive organs, and most of the digestive system. Thorax - this is the middle part of the beetle, to which its legs and wings are attached. Antennae - like all insects, beetles have two segmented antennae. Compound eyes - beetles have two faceted compound eyes, which are made up of many hexagonal lenses. Elytra - this is the hardened exosketal fore-wings, that protect the hind-wings underneath. Head - the head is at the front of the body, and is the location of the brain. It also has the two compound eyes, the mouthparts, the pharynx ( start of the digestive system ), and the two antennae attached to it. Hind-wings - beetles have two hind-wings, that are used for flying and swimming. They are tucked safely under the elytra, when not in use. Legs - beetles have six jointed legs, comprising of the Femur, Tibia, and Tarsus. Mandibles - beetles have mouthparts, similar to grasshoppers. Maxillary Palps - two pairs of finger-like appendages, are found around the mouth, in most beetles, serving to move food into the mouth. These are the maxillary and labial Palps. Spiracles - beetles breath through spiracles. Spiracles are openings along the body of the beetle, that usually lead to the respiratory system......Beetles often feed on plants and fungi, break down animal and plant debris, and eat other invertebrates. Some species prey on various animals, such as birds and mammals.......Masked Chafer - Adults are nocturnal, and are attracted to lights. The adult has a black head. Larvae are root feeders - many species are agriculture pests. The larvae are called ( white grubs ), and they live in the soil, feeding on plant roots....

Habitat:

Beetles can live just about anywhere. The diversity of beetles is very wide. They are found in all major habitats, except marine and the polar regions.

Notes:

This beetle, was about three eights of an inch long. It had a black head, and the thorax and fore-wings, were a reddish brown color. It had 2 antennae, 2 compound eyes, and 6 legs. It also had vertical lines, running down the lenght of the fore-wings. I found this beetle, on the front step of my house, at around 7:00 a.m. in the morning. I also found, 3 other beetles, just like this one, on the floor of the garage.....